Our Reno: Pits and Pit Falls

 

I posted a Status Update on my Facebook page last night, it said “lots of true colours coming out now that the reno is in full swing. Sometimes makes me wish we just moved.” A friend replied “time to update the blog so we can live through it with you.” Which was good advice (thanks ATM).

So here’s what went down. The day day started off beautifully, everyone up and at it before 8 am, and we made amazing progress all day long. Finally we are seeing some major changes instead of the endless prep work that’s so necessary. We had our ‘pit’ dug out by my guys and their diggers in preparation for the foundation, supports made, inspectors called, the works. Hard hard work. I rewarded them with some great pasta and lots of encouragement.

But just when you think all is going well, the neighbours start poking around. Neighbours we’ve never had any problems with, neighbours we’ve always had problems with, and everyone in between.

Backing up, we are PERMITTED to the nines. Part of the endless prep was meetings upon meetings with our architect and city planning departments. Plus site visits and drawings to get it all perfect. We know the setbacks required by the city, we know the building areas allowable, we know everything and stayed well within the “rules” so that we wouldn’t bug any neighbours and could Fast Track the permit. To show for it,  we have our little square permit in our window so all can see that we aren’t trying to hide anything. It’s a room people.

I knew that I needed a permit not only because of city requirments,  because of this: Reno’s make people crazy!! Not just homeowners but neighbours. Friendships can be ruined by them, people move because of them, and on and on. I think it’s very weird only because I have a real fondness for home improvements. I believe they increase the value of not only ones property, but those around them too. It shows you care about your home and think it’s worth making a bit better. I have never ever faulted anyone for building onto their home, unless it’s totally infringing on someone elses property.

And so it goes that last night one of our neighbours got a bit too aggressive and called the old “friend who’s a contractor who told me blah blah blah” and tried to shut us down. But it didn’t work, and it was handled beautifully by my little team. But lets just say it’s going to put a strain on the neighbourly relations.

Because of what I do for a living, I am temped to move all the time. Just the other day I saw a great house with a fab pool in the background and not 1 but 2 sheds for my husband and I thought WOW, I would have totally bought this sucker. But no, I’m renoing!

Good fences make good neighbours. Our new fences are next on the list. -EN